How should I approach my exit interview?

Horus

I work in the advertising world and one thing about it, its small world. So I have been working at my current job for a year and I hate the place (its a common feeling among my coworkers, since the year someone is leaving every 2 weeks). I found a job that is 1/3 the commute and more pay. Now I am debating how should I confront my exit interview. Some people tell me to avoid burning bridges and not say anything. Others feel being honest is all I can do.

I am finding studies online that support either of the directions noted above. In my perspective I feel I really want to bust a exorcism on this exit interview but stay classy as a way to detox the poisons I had developed there. My way of starting fresh with this job and not bringing past baggage.

What do you think?

tldr; Hate my job, found a better one. Exit interview; should I spill the beans and rant or stay classy and keep my mouth shut?

V1m

Approach this from the following perspective:

How will this benefit YOU?

So no, don't burn any damb bridges. Don't criticize specific people. Do you think you're the only person that talks to people about work stuff? What if the guy you diss is the brother in law of the guy you are going to work for?

Vague generalities, mostly positive, focus on saying its a career development opportunity.

I mean shit, what if you want to come back one day?

Hewn

Keep criticisms constructive. You can be honest, and potentially helpful, while staying classy if you frame your negatives in the proper way.

Jam Warrior

Honest but tactful I'd say. Name no names but discuss a culture that allows certain things to happen for example.

Dhalphir

Here's the lowdown.

Stay polite and positive in your exit interview. Do not talk down the company.
In six months time, you will not regret having done so. The desire to "vent" will long since have vanished under the excitement and interest of the new job.

If, however, you do vent, I can guarantee two things

1) It won't make you feel any better
2) It can only hurt you in the long run.

Darkewolfe

Dhalphir wrote: »

Here's the lowdown.

Stay polite and positive in your exit interview. Do not talk down the company.
In six months time, you will not regret having done so. The desire to "vent" will long since have vanished under the excitement and interest of the new job.

If, however, you do vent, I can guarantee two things

1) It won't make you feel any better
2) It can only hurt you in the long run.

This. You gain nothing by pissing people off. By keeping your mouth shut, you may leave yourself with an ally you didn't know about.

MagicToaster

I've worked in Advertising companies before (I work inhouse now), and yes it is small industry and it has a high turn-over rate. I was once let go from Euro RSCG and I didn't behave as nicely as I could have. Years later Euro downsized, I laughed at them because I was bitter about being let go. When I wanted to move to other agencies, guess who was working at all the companies I applied to: My old Euro coworkers!

Lesson learned for me.

Bite your tongue, smile as you leave and say "Thank you for the good times, I hope to see you again"... because you will see them again. It's advertising!

supabeast

Don’t tell them anything. If they really give a shit about their employees they need to pay more attention before people leave. What matters here is you, and you need to not burn bridges with people you might work with again down the road.

Wezoin

From personal experience I can recommend against defecating on the desk during the interview, I can also advise that reserved honesty is the way to go. Admit some of the problems you've witnessed, but do so politely. Do not make it appear as though they are a huge deal or have caused you great distress.

Deebaser

+1 for it "keep your complaints to yourself"

You're out. It ain't your problem anymore.

Reverend_Chaos

Few things are as satisfying as dousing a bridge in gasoline, realizing that it might not be enough and getting some napalm, then tossing a match and walking away in cool slow-mo...

That being said such brash action will likely have far reaching effects, and in a small industry where everyone knows everyone, you The purpose of an exit interview is for the employer to collect feedback on why employees leave so they can be a better company to work for. It sounds like your current job isn't learning anything from it. Is that because all of your co-workers leaving just smile, nod and thank you for all the crap sandwhiches you have forced down my throat, or is it because the employer does not care?

I would be honest and point out a major flaw or two without being insulting. Do not assign blame and don't complain about any one person (it might get back to them, and you might end up working with them again) - but I would point out anyone who does their job particularly well. This will keep the exit interview positive and hopefully will help the comany be a better company, and if not - you did your best.

MegaMan001

If you really want to be helpful and maybe improve the company on your way out take a few moments to brainstorm on problems you had and try to come up with a solution that would have made your time there more productive. Then offer the problem and a potential solution or two to the exit interviewer.

And, yeah, and positive respectful attitude is going to do your career a lot more good than being a dick.

Heir

There's nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism (i.e. "It would be nice if we had this" or "I feel I have a good opportunity to develop my xyz career goals at the new place" etc etc. ). Just keep it polite, civil, and don't burn any bridges. You don't have to lie, but don't name names, and don't go in with a laundry list of what sucks about your current company.

Atheraal

Here's a decent article on the subject I saw posted on slashdot a little while back: link

I'd say it's not worth it, and you should look at the simple fact that you're leaving and going to a new job as your way of starting fresh and getting rid of baggage.